Multicolor sheet fed rotary printing machine



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MULTICOLOR SHEET FED ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed June 8, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 MULTICOLOR SHEET FED ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed June 8, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

NOV. 29, 1938. w HUCK MULTICOLOR SHEET FED ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed June 8, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 %M 3 D JL d 7 j l W u WQ J i H n i w n {hull $2 w.w\ l i m5. Mwmm a f f m.0 Law? ,3 E .Q TM; .7 NQ b\ #2 93 m3 JWNQWINIH INVE NTOR ATTY.

Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,138,405 MULTICOLOR sneer ran ROTARY PRINT- mo momma William F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rt Hoe & 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June a, 1935, Serial No. 25,589 Renewed March 28, 1938 23 Claims.

This invention in general relates to a multicolor sheet fed rotary printing machine having for its object the provision of an improved machine of the kind described, with a view to a more convenient, expeditious and emcient feeding, printing and delivery of sheets.

A particular object of the invention is to provide novel improved means for guiding an endless, gripper-carrying flexible traveling member or carrier and for locking and accurately registering the grippers carried thereby to the impression cylinders.

Another object is to provide novel means for advancing or retarding the position and/or the time of arrival of a sheet relatively to the stops of the first sheet engaging or transfer cylinder, while the printing machine is running.

A further object is to provide means designed and adapted to forward a sheet to angularly moving gripper stops, at a rate and in a manner assuring perfect registration and engagement of the sheet with the said gripper stops.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a multi-color sheet fed rotary printing machine of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eflicient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention is particularly adapted for use with multi-color printing machines where two or more colors are printed in superposed relation to one another, the invention is also applicable to sheet fed mechanism where a single color is imposed.

' ,The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of one form of the invention, showing a four unit multicolor printing machine equipped with an automatic tension device, web cutting and sheet transferring mechanism, sheet conveying means and sheet delivery mechanism;

Figure 2 is a view showing a portion of a printing machine similar to that depicted in Figure l and illustrating a modified form of the invention wherein a conventional type of sheet feeder is employed which takes out sheets from a pile and feeds them to the printing units;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one form of the sheet gripper mechanism employed including means for accurately registering it with respect to an impression cylinder;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, with parts broken away, of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, as viewed on the line, and as seen in the direction of the arrow 4 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line and as seen in the direction of the arrows 5 of Figure 3, showing other details of the novel mechanism employed for lockingly securing or registering the gripper supports or gripper carriers to the impression cylinder at the moment of printing;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the flexible carrier and the associated gripper mechanism, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of Figure 3, and as seen adjacent each end of an impression cylinder;

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view of certain portions of the web cutting mechanism, sheet forwarding and guiding mechanism, together with certain driving members therefor and other elements co'actingly related thereto;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, with certain parts omitted, and showing the cam-actuated sheet guide in position to permit the buckling of a sheet while engaged with a sheet gripper stop;

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation of the differential mechanism employed for the purpose of varying or shifting the position of the web forwarding and cutting mechanism, and the sheet forwarding means, relatively to the sheet engaging grippers of the transfer cylinder, while the printing machine is in operation, in order to make the necessary or desired compensation in the time of arrival of a sheet at the grippers on the said transfer cylinder;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the worm and worm wheel connected to the differential gear assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged elevational view of certain details shown in the modified form of the invention, shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, and illustrating one of the parabolic guides for the gripper conveying chains;

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of gripper support which may be employed in place of that shown in Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 13' is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of certain details of the modified form of gripper support, as taken on the line and as viewed in'the direction of the arrow l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of the gripper mechanism, as viewed in the direction of the arrow H of Figure 12; and

Figure 15 is a cross section taken on the line ||5 of Figure 14, looking in the direction of the arrow.

The present invention provides means for advancing or retarding the leading edge of a traveling sheet being forwarded to the gripper stops on the transfer cylinder, while the machine is in operation. This compensating action is required in order to assure the arrival of the sheet at the gripper stops of the transfer cylinder at the proper time, and in order to regulate the degree of buckling of the sheet against the gripper stops of the said transfer cylinder which occurs when the leading edge of the sheet is thrust against same, the said buckling effect, as pointed out above, being one of the features of the present invention to assure the alignment and/or full engagement of the sheet with the gripper stops, from which point it will be conveyed to the printing units in position to have the several colors superposed thereon in accurate register. I

Hitherto, sheet gripping mechanism of the type employing chain-carried grippers have developed serious defects in operation, such as a slapping or whipping action in their rapid orbital or ourved movement, and a proneness to irregular or uneven seating in the receptacles or sockets pro- 1 vided for them on the impression cylinder. As

a direct consequence of this, the register of the superposed colors printed has been seriously affected. The present invention is also specially designed and adapted to obviate the defects noted and to permit the attainment of operating speeds hitherto impractical by reason of the facts mentioned.

In Figures 1 and 3 to inclusive of the drawings wherein similar characters of reference indi-' cate corresponding parts in the several views, the

E, may be of any well known and approved con- 'struction and need not be further referred to here. The web cutting yllinders 6, I and the web feeding mechanism 5 which latter includes either a replaceable or change gear l2 that may be substituted by other gears of different values; or a variable gear drive unit of conventional design (not shown), are of the general design and construction shown in patent to Zuckerman, No. 1,558,140, dated October 20, 1925, for Webcutting mechanism.

Each of the printing units comprises inking means, designated generally at [2, form and blanprinting unit will serve for all. All of the printing units mentioned are operatively joined and actuated by a drive shaft l1, provided with a plurality of worms l8, each engaged with a gear (not shown) on the shaft IQ of each adjacent blanket cylinder l5. The drive shaft IT is also provided with a pair of additional worms 2|, 22, one worm 2| being engaged with a worm wheel (not shown) on the shaft of a cylinder 23 coactingly engaged with a cylinder 23' and forminga part of the delivery mechanism, and the other with a. worm wheel (not shown) on the shaft of the upper transfer cylinder 25 of a pair of cylinders, as hereinafter described.

Sheet gripper units and coacting conveyor mechanism several impression cylinders, and also by idler sprockets 21 (Figure 1) mounted on the frame 3 between the printing units, it being understood that a similar chain and sprockets are arranged at the other ends of the impression cylinders. The chains 25, at intervals, are provided with members 28, 29, the members 28 having a centrally grooved or bevelled body portion 36, from which two studs or pins 3|, 32 project in opposite directions (Figure 5). The member 29 also has a centrally grooved body ,portion 33 which has only one stud 34 projecting therefrom (Figure 6). The studs 3|, 34 provide journals for the pairs of chain links 35, 36, 31 respectively, and also for the rollers 38 of the same chain. To the stud 32, one end of-a gripper supporting frame or shell 39, hereinafter described in detail, is secured by a nut 39', the said frame being adapted to register in a cut out portion 46 of each impression cylinder (Figure 4).

Each of the gripper supports or units G conveyed by the pair of chains is engaged by a pair of pressure or thrust levers 4|, 42 having hubs 43, 44 fastened to shafts 45, 46 respectively, the said shafts being rotatably supported in the body portion of the series of pairs of oppositely disposed sprockets 26. The hub of each sprocket 26 is formed, as best shown in Figure 5, with an outwardly directed projection or extension 41 wherein the shafts 45, 46 are additionally supported. Each of the pressure levers 4|, 42 is formed with a jaw 48 having inner surfaces adapted to register with the bevelled body portions 30, 33 of the members 28, 29 respectively in order to smoothly engage and force same, to-

gether with their attached gripper supports or assemblies, into the cut out portion of the impression cylinders.

Upon the ends of the shafts 45, 46 there are fastened levers or arms 49, 5| which have registering gear segments or teeth 52, 53 respectively. In a cut out portion of the lever 5|, a cam roller 54 mounted on a stud 55 is arranged, the said roller 54 being adapted to engage a cam 56 carried by a bracket 51 supported on the frame 3.

The hubs 43, 44 are further provided with levers 58. 59 to the outer ends of which spring rods 60; 60' are pivotally secured, as by the studs 50, the said spring rods being slidably retained to the cylinder head by any suitable means (not shown). The spring rods, it will be understood, maintain a biasing pressure upon the thrust levers which serves to rock them on their axes 45, 46 in order to forcibly thrust the ripp r supports into the cut out portion 40 of the impression cylinder, which action takes place as the cam roller 54 passes over a depressed portion of the cam 50. When the said cam roller passes over a raised portion 56' of the same cam 56, the pressure levers will be angled away from their members 28, 29 in order to permit the sheet gripper supports to be conveyed by the chains 25 out of the out out portion in the cylinder, from whence the grippers and the sheet engaged thereby is carried to the next impression cylinder where a similar action takes place as the next color is superposed. In the end portions of each gripper supporting frame 89, a shaft GI is journaled, the said shaft being rotatably supported and held against axial movement by washers 62 8 and screws 62'.

As best shown in Figure 5, a lever 63 is fastened to the shaft GI and has a stud 68, upon which a cam roller 85 is rotatably mounted, the last mentioned cam roller being adapted to engage an exteriorly positioned cam member 88 suitably fastened to the frame 3. Upon the shaft BI a plurality of sheet grippers 8'! are fastened in spaced relation over its length, the said grippers in their closed position being adapted to seat upon clamping blocks or abutments 68 secured to the shell 39. The gripper shaft 6| also has secured thereto a plurality of arms or fingers 69 against each of which one end of a coil spring I is engaged, the other end of the said spring being seated in a socket member II, a plurality of which latter are provided at intervals in spaced relation on the frame or shell 39. The springs I0, which serve to maintain a normal bias on the gripper shaft, in order to close the grippers 61 and thereby clamp the leading edge of a sheet to the abutments 68, are retained in correct alignment by pins 12 arranged in the socket members. It is to be understood that the cam 66 is positioned on the frame at two places only; i. e., ad-

jacent thecylinders 23" and I24, in the manner illustrated in Figure 6, a raised portion, not shown, of these two cams being effective to open the grippers against the action of the springs 10 to receive the edge of a sheet presented by the grippers I20 of the cylinder 24, and subsequently, after the said sheet has been seized by the closing of the grippers and then conveyed through the printing units, to release it from the grippers of the cylinder 2|, at which point it is engaged by the grippers (not shown) of the chain delivery mechanism E and stacked by the latter in the customary manner.

In order to assure an accurate seating of the gripper supports in the cylinder opening 40, means are provided for finely adjusting the members 28, 29 and the elements directly connected therewith in order that the chain-conveyed gripper supports may be carried smoothly into and out of the said cylinder openings 40. The means last referred to comprises two coacting members 13, 14 having interengaging inclined surfaces, as best shown in Figure 5. The upper wedge element I3 is fixed to shouldered screws I8, the stems of which are received in slots I9 provided in each sprocket 28. The lower wedge element is threadedly engaged by adjusting screws I1 and is adapted to be slidingly received in a pocket I8 also formed in-the sprocket 28.

As shown in Figure 5, it will be seen the upper surface of the wedge member I3 is shaped to register with the grooved surface of the member 28, and that when the inclined surface of the lower wedge member 14 is slid or moved over the inclined surface of, the upper member I3 by means of the screws 11, desired adjustment I or compensation of the gripper carrying assem- Sheet timing mechanism The means for advancing or retarding the time of arrival of a sheet S at the gripper stops 20 of the transfer cylinder 24, which are best shown in Figures '7 and 8, includes a driving assembly of gears and shafts comprising, as an important feature of the present form of the invention, a differential gear unit or assembly H, shown in section in Figure 9, and web cutting rolls 6, I and the sheet forwarding rolls I0.

The means specifically used to couple the differential adjusting unit H to the sheetforwarding rolls I0, the cylinders 0, I and the web forwarding mechanism or rolls 5, alluded to above, includes a shaft 80 having gears BI, 82, 83, the last mentioned gear meshing with a gear 84 fastened to a shaft hereinafter referred to and driven from the differential gear adjusting unit H, as best shown in Figure '7. The gear 82 meshes with a gear 85 fastened to one end of a shaft 86 having at its other end a gear 81 mechanically connected to other coacting gears (not shown) which latter are effective to actuate the sheet forwarding rollers I 0. The gear 8|, in turn, meshes with a gear 88 upon the supporting shaft 89 on which is mounted another gear 9| which meshes with a gear 92 as a means for rotating the web cutting cylinders 6, I. The driven gear 80 also meshes with a gear 93 fastened to a shaft 94 having at its other end a gear 85 connected to a train of gears 96 forming a part of the web feeding mechanism 5, whereby adjustment of the differential unit H will simultaneously affect the three mechanisms alluded to, which are operative to forward a web W to a point where it is cut into a series of sheets, that are forwarded one at a time by the sheet forwarding rollers I0, through guides II including an automatically operated oscillating lever guide 91, the operation of which latter will be described hereinafter.

In Figure 9, the differential unit or assembly H is shown in detail, the said unit comprising an exterior housing 99 secured to the frame of the machine and adapted to enclose the elements customarily forming a part of such units, which will now be described. Within the housing 89, a casing I00 is arranged, said casing having a hub IOI formed integrally therewith and rotatably supported in an adjacent portion of the frame of the machine. Within the casing I00, the ends of a pair of shafts I02, I03 are supported in aligned and spaced relation.

The shaft I02 is rotatably mounted on nearings I04, I arranged within the hub portion of the casing I 00, and has an exterior reduced end to which a gear I02 associated with the drive of the press, is fastened. The innerend of the shaft I02 has secured thereto a pinion I06 which meshes with a gear I01 rotatably mounted in bearings I08, arranged on reduced portions of a stud or shaft I09, the said reduced portions being rotatably supported in the casing I00 and in a worm wheel III, fastened by screws rotatably received in a centrally positioned hole provided in the housing 09. Fastened to an ex? tended portion of the hub of the pinion I0! is a gear II4 which meshes with a pinion H5, fastened to a reduced inner portion of the driving shaft I03, the latter being rotatably supported at its inner end in a bearing IIS secured within the hub of the worm wheel III. A packing ring I II through which the shaft I03 passes into the difierential casing .I00, prevents escape of lubricant from the latter. The worm wheel III is engaged by a worm II8 on amanually operable shaft 1 I8 supported in the housing 09.

In the normal operation of the machine illustrated, rotational movement will be communicated from the driving shaft I02 to the driven shaft I03 and the several mechanisms connected thereto, as described above, by means of the pinions or gears I00, I01, Nd and H5.

In order to actuate the oscillating lever guide 97, the transfer cylinder 2t which is driven from and in unison with the press driving means, is provided with a cam groove H9 wherein is seated a cam roller I2I, rotatably secured to a link or arm I22, pivotally connected at one end to the said oscillating lever guide 07, and provided at its other end with a fork I23 wherein is slidably received the shaft 24' of the transfer cylinder 24.

,As the latter cylinder rotates, the oscillating lever.

guide 91 which is pivoted to the frame 0 of the machine in any suitable manner, will be automatically moved at a predetermined time, by means of the cam groove M0 and link I22 from ,the position shown in Figure '7, to that shown in Figure 8 in order to permit the buckling of a traveling sheet S, which buckling occurs after the leading edge of the sheet has moved against the angularly moving gripper stops I20 and then continues to move forward at a rate of speed slightly greater than the latter and is next seized by grippers I20 also arranged on the cylinder 24. The stops I 20 are fixed on the cylinder 24 while the grippers I20 may be operated by any approved form of gripper operating mechanism (not shown) known to those versed in the art. The progressive buckling or overfeeding action indicated above, is in accordance with the theory of operation of the present machine and as provided for by its design and construction.

Operation The function and manner of operation of the above form of the invention has been in large measure indicated from the foregoing description, but may be briefiysurnmarized as follows:

Assuming that a web W, the tension on which is controlled by the mechanism indicated generally at 4 in Figure 1, is being advanced by the web forwarding rolls 5, through the adjacent guides and to the cutting cylinders 0, I, each newly cut sheet S will be taken by the sheet forwarding rolls I0, and passed through the sheet guides II including the oscillating lever guide 01, the leading edge of the sheet being so timed as to meet the gripper stops I20 on the rotatingcylinder 24, the said gripper stops being of the general type shown, for example, in patent to Eckhard No. 1,818,312, dated Aug. 11, 1931, for gripper mechanism. The continued feeding action of the rollers I0, which are frictionally engaged with, but adapted to permit the slippage of the sheet, should the tension on same become excessive, will thrust the leading edge of the said sheet with increasing force against the gripper II2 to the said casing I00 and having a hub II3 stops I20 thereby causing the progressive buckling of the body portion of the sheet as best shown in Figure 8. The buckling of the traveling sheet is particularly designed and adapted to assure a complete and perfect registration or alignment of the edge of,the sheet against the gripper stops, thus overcoming and preventing a tendency in conventional mechanism for the sheet to rebound from. the gripper stops and thus become misaligned. The sheet is next engaged by one of the sets of sheet grippers 0'! on the flexible carrier 25 while the said grippers are traveling over the periphery of a cylinder I24 which is coactingly engaged with the transfer cylinder 24. From this point, the last mentioned grippers carry the sheet through the battery of printing units A, B, C, D where it receives the several printing impressions mentioned above, and is thence delivered to the delivery mechanism E, as indicated above.

Should it now be desired to cut sheets of a different length from those provided by the arrangement shown, the change or replaceable gear I2 may be removed and another substituted therefor; or, in the case of a variable gear drive unit employed instead of the change gear, the

said gear unit will be adjusted, both procedures altering the rate of feed of the web relatively to the cutting cylinders 0, I between which the said web freely moves until engaged by the cutting knives 8, 0 thereon. The length of the sheets S now out from the web W as a consequence will be either longer or shorter in accordance with the size of the newly inserted gear or the adjustment of the variable gear unit drive. To compensate for the difierence in length between the sheets now cut and those formerly cut, the differential unit H will be brought into play. For this purpose, the operator will turn the worm shaft M8 to the desired extent in one direction or the other, accordingly as it is desired to advance or retard the leading edge of a sheet approaching the gripper stops I20, so that the sheet may be presented to same at the proper time and in order that the degree of buckling of the sheet against the said stops may be regulated.

Specifically, the turning of the worm shaft II 8 will cause the turning of the differential casing I00 and the differential pinions therein, thus angularly advancing or retarding the shaft I03 relatively to shaft I02, and, consequentlmadvancing or retarding the entire train of shafts and gears mechanically connected through shaft 00 to gear I02 which is fastened to the driven shaft I02, thus temporarily increasing or decreasing the rate of movement of each traveling sheet, and varying the time of its arrival at the gripper stops I20.

Modified form of invention In-Figures 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, a modified form of the invention is disclosed. In Figure 2, is shown diagrammatically, a battery of three printing units B", C, D, each comprising form, blanket and impression cylinders I30, I3I and I32 sheets are fed from a pile type feeder L which her.

is adapted to handle cut sheets taken from a pile and deliver them to a pair of cylinders I36, I31 by means of sheet forwarding rollers I, which may be of the same type and having the same operating functions as those designated at I6 in Figures '7 and 8 of the first form of the invention. The cylinder I31 is provided with.

sheet registering stops I31 which are also of the same general character as those designated at I20 in Figures 7 and 8, and against which a sheet may be buckled by the over-feeding action of the said rollers III. Over a sprocket wheel fastened to each end of the cylinder I31 an endless flexible carrier or conveyor I38 is engaged. Each of the flexible carriers I38, one of which is arranged at either end of the several impression cylinders I32; as in the first form of the invention, has attached thereto sheet gripper supports or units indicated generally at M (Figure 12), whose functions are substantially the same as those described in the first form of the invention, but which differ therefrom in certain details of construction, as described hereinafter, and as best shown in Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Each gripper unit M of the modified form of the invention comprises a pair of bifurcated plates or bars I39, each having an opening MI and joined to the adjacent flexible carrier or chain I38 by screw studs or bolts I42, I43. The stud I43 has a sheave or roller I44 rotatably mounted thereon and this sheave or roller I44 is positioned in the opening I. The flexible carriers I38 which convey the gripper assemblies M, are normally guided and supported on sprocket wheels I45, each of which is fastened to its adjacent impression cylinder I 32 in any suitable man- Between the opposed arms I46, I41 of each bar I39 and in the opening I4I thereof, a cam roller I48 is rotatably arranged on a bearing I49, supported on a stud II, fastened in the opposed arms I46, I41 of the said bifurcated bar. The arms or straps I46, I41 of the member I39 being of a. length equivalent to several of the links of the chain, in passing around the impression cylinder, the arms take'a position that may be considered as the chord of an arc, while the position of the links more nearly defines the arc. The difference in length of the two paths will result in motion of the pins I42 in the slots I40. The pivot pin I43 in each pair of the arms I46, I41 is located on the trailing sides of the grippers, and it will be observed that after the grippers have passed the line of impression between the printing cylinderiand the impression cylinder, and the chain moves into a straighter path as it passes toward the next printing unit, the swing of the grippers around the pivot pins I43 will result in slightly slowing down the speed of the said grippers, thereby relieving tension on thesheet and permitting it to be propelled solely by the pressure of the printing-cylinders. The cam roller I48 is adapted to engage a cam I5I fastened to the frame of the machine, in order to thrust the gripper assembly M against or temporarily lock same on segmental plates mentioned below. The flexible carrieror chain I38 is partly suppt ted on the upper edges of rings I52 suitably fastened to each sprocket wheel I45 which also has secured thereto in any suitable manner segmental plates I53, I54. The plate I53, as best shown in Figure 12, is adapted to serve as an abutment for the lower edge of the bifurcated bar I39 (Figure 12), while the plate I54, which has a V-shaped face I55, is adapted to engage the groove of the sheave I44 (Figure 13).

Secured to one arm of each bifurcated bar I39 and extending between the pairv of said bars I39 is a T-shaped bracket or rail member I56. Across the length of the member I56 there is secured, at intervals, a plurality of bracket members I51, best shown in Figures 14 and 15, of such construction as to allow for the insertion of gripper members I58 between its side members or arms I59, IBI, each bracket I51 further providing a clamping seat I62 upon which the said gripper members I58 will clamp the sheet or product, when acting in conjunction therewith.

The under portion of the clamping seat I62 is provided with a pocket I63 into which one end of a spring I64 is seated. Each bracket member I51 is provided with a short shaft I65 upon which is mounted the gripper member I58, said gripper member being further provided with journal receiving-portions I66 wherein is carried a shaft I61 having a cam roller I68 rotatably mounted thereon, the shaft I65 being held in place on the bracket I51 by a pin (Figure 15).

Each gripper member I58 in addition, is provided with an extended portion I having a pocket I1I into which the other end of the spring I64 is seated, the said spring applying pressure between the clamping seat I62 and the gripper member I58.

The cam roller I68 is adapted to be received at predetermined intervals in a notch I12 provided on a shaft I13 to which a member or bracket I14 is clampingly secured by a screw I (Figure 12) The shaft I13 extends across the length of the impression cylinder and has reduced ends I16 which extend through the head of the member I56 and into the arms I46 of the oppositely disposed bifurcated bars I39. Rotatably mounted on the stem of a stud I11 suitably secured to the bracket I14 is a cam roll I18, the said roll being engaged by a cam I19 suitably secured to the frame of the machine, the function of the said cam roll and cam being to open the grippers I58 when a sheet is to be received on the carrier or released therefrom.,

As an additional feature of the modified form of the invention and as shown in Figure 11, chain guides or members of a special design and configuration are arranged in upper and lower pairs, through which the flexible carrier I28 passes. The upper guide member comprises a pair of plates I8I, I82 01' a substantially parabolic configuration, when viewed in end elevation. The plate I8I is fastened to a bracket I83 hinged at one end as at I84 to the frame of the machine and pivotally connected at another end to a bolt or stud I85 slidably supported in a poppet I86, the bracket I83 being biased by a spring I 81 confined between the poppet I86 and the adjacent extremity of the bracket.

The lower guide member, shown to the left in Figure 11, also comprises a pair of parabolically curved plates I88, I89 held in spaced relation by a strap I 92, and the strap is secured to the frame of the printing machine, as indicated at I93, and pivoted to a lug I94 secured at one end of a. stud I95 slidably mounted in a poppet I96 fastened to the frame of the machine. The strap I92 and the chain guides I88, I89 secured thereto are resiliently biased by a spring I91 confined between the poppet I96 and the lug I94 joining the stud to the strap I92. The chain guide members shown in Figure 11 and last described are particularly designed and adapted to provide a chain guiding path having the configuration of! a pluralityof interconnected parabolic curves over its major portion thereby overcoming the tendency of the flexible carrier to slap or whip, as in the conventional type of guides which heretofore have been formed as arcs of circles.

It. will be observed by further inspection of Figure 11 that the flexible carrier engages an appreciably less portion of the periphery of the sprocket wheel than would be the case if conventional type of guides were employed. The flexible carrier, in the present case, is led away from the sprocket in a smooth soft curve having I the general outline of a parabola, this procedure,

it will be noted, following modern and approved railroad practice where tracks, arranged around a curve, are disposed so as to present a substantially parabolic curvature. The path of the flexible carrier, although preferably of a parabolic configuration, may according to the present invention, be designed with any other suitable curvature whereby the centrifugal force acting on the gripper bars duringthe actual functioning of the machine, will progressively increase and decrease at a desired rate, varying from zero to a constant value at the point of tangency to the cylinder periphery.

In order to permit the chain to conform to the curvature of the sprockets, a slot I40 is provided in each bar I39 wherein the stud I42 is slidably and adjustably received (Figures 12 and 14).

The function and operation of the modified form of the invention is quite similar to the first form described above. In the instant form of the invention, sheets are fed from the sheet feeder L (Figure 2) and conveyed inthe well known manner to cylinders I36, I31 where they are engaged one at a time by the grippers I58 of the gripper assembly M, each sheet thence bein conveyed by the flexible carrier I38 through the parabolic paths alluded to above and leading to each of the several pairs of coacting blanket and impression cylinders where the sheet receives its printed impression, and is then conveyed to the next couple where another color is superimposed. As indicated above, each of the gripper assemblies M of the modified form of the invention is held in temporary locked position to the adjacent impression cylinder by the action of the cam IEI and the coacting cam roller I48 mounted on the gripper assemblies M.

The grippers in the modified form bf the invention operate in a manner similar to that described in connection with the first form of the invention. One of the two ripper-opening cams I19 is positioned on the frame adjacent the cylinder I81, the said cam having a. raised portion which is effective to temporarily open the grippers I58 against the action of the springs I64 in order to receive a'sheet from the feeder L, the sheet thereafter being immediately seized'by the prompt closing of the grippers as the camroller I18 passes over a depressed portion of the same cam, and permits the cam roll I68, on the grippercarried shaft I61, to be received in the notch I12 of the shaft I13. The sheet is then conveyed through the printing units B, C, D', to a delivery mechanism (not shown) which maybe of the generaltype as that designated E in Figure 1, at which point the sheet is released by the action of the other .cam I19 and the elements coacting therewith, and delivered to a pile by the said delivery mechanism.

A further advantage of the modified form of the "invention will be appreciated from an examination of Figure 12 of the drawings from which it will be observed that the gripper carrier, which may be considered as having its center of gavity near the axis of the shaft I65 travels at the speed of the chain when the latter is moving in a straight line; that it travels at an appreciably slower speed when passing the point at which it is depicted in Figure 12 because of its shorter radial distance from the cylinder axis; and that the transition from the higher to the lower speed is made gradually, as the gripper carrier moves toward and away from the impression point of the cylinders. This action, it will be observed, is caused by the mounting of the gripper carrier on the arms I46, I41. By moving the gripper carrier on a shorter radius as it passes the impression point, it is subjected to less centrifugal force and this arrangement in combination with the parabolic path provided for the chain results in greatly increasing the smoothness of operation of these portions of the machine.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having an impression cylinder, a sheet feeder, and a delivery mechanism; a conveyor including a flexible carrying member and adapted to receive sheets from the feeder and convey them through the printing machine to the delivery mechanism, a plurality of gripper supports attached to the carrying member, and locking means for holding the gripper supports in position with reference to the impression cylinder to accurately register a sheet.

2. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having an impression cylinder, a sheet feeder, and a delivery mechanism; a conveyor adapted to receive sheets from the feeder and convey them in a parabolically curved path adjacent the impression cylinder and to the delivery mechanism, said conveyor including a flexible carrying member having a plurality of gripper supports attached thereto.

3. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having web forwarding and cutting means, sheet forwarding and conveying means, and an impression cylinder having an opening; a traveling flexible carrier, sheet gripper supports secured to and conveyed by said carrier, said impression cylinders having a plurality of openings, and means acting independently of the carrier and coacting with said gripper supports for forcing same into the openings in the impression cylinder while rotating.

4. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having a plurality of impression cylinders, an endless flexible member operatively associated with said impression cylinders, a plurality of sheet gripper units connected to said endless carrier, an opening in each of said impression cylinders adapted to receive said gripper units one at a time, and means acting inber operatively associated with all of said impression cylinders, a plurality of sprockets engaged with the flexible member, sheet gripper units connected to and conveyed by said flexible member, and means mounted on the sprockets for forcibly thrusting the gripper units, one at a time, into the openings and locking same to the impression cylinder during the interval immediately prior to and while printing the area adjacent the leading edge of the sheet.

6. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having a plurality of impression cylinders, an endless flexible member operatively associated with each of said impression cylinders, a plurality of sheet gripper units secured in spaced relation on said endless carrier, an opening in each of the cylinders adapted to receive each of said gripper assemblies at the time of its arrival thereat, means coacting with each of said assemblies for forcibly thrusting same one at a time into the said openings in order to lock same securely therein during the interval immediately prior to and while printing the area adjacent the leading edge of the sheet, and other means to free the units from the openings at predetermined times.

7. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having an impression cylinder, an opening in said cylinder, a flexible endless carrier operatively connected to the cylinder, a sheet gripper means receivable in said opening and adapted to convey sheets from the sheet feeder thereto, and parabolically shaped sheet guiding means for facilitating the travel of the flexible member and preventing whipping action thereof.

8. In combination with a multi-color sheet fed printing machine having a sheet feeder, sheet delivery means, web conveying means, sheet forwarding means, and a transfer cylinder having gripper stops; a differential gearing operatively associated with all of said means and operative to advance or retard a traveling sheet relatively to the grippers on the transfer cylinder, whereby the time of arrival of sheets of various lengths at the said gripper stops may be predetermined and varied, as desired.

9. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having web forwarding means, web cutting means, sheet forwarding means, a transfer cylinder having sheet gripper stops, and other means for carrying the speed of the web forwarding means relatively to the web cutting and sheet forwarding means; difierential gear means for advancing and retarding the action of said web forwarding andcutting means and the sheet forwarding means in order to advance and retard the arrival of a sheet at said gripper stop.

10. In combination with a sheet fed printing machine having web forwarding and cutting means, sheet forwarding means, and a transfer cylinder having gripper stops thereon; means mechanically connected to said web forwarding and cutting means and said sheet forwarding means whereby a sheet may be advanced or retarded while being forwarded to said gripper stops and while said cylinder is rotating.

11. In combination with a multl-color sheet fed printing machine having web forwarding means, web cutting means, sheet forwarding means, and angularly moving gripper stops; a differential gear assembly operatively connected to all of said means and effective to advance or retard a moving sheet relatively to the gripper variations in lengths of sheets cut from a web by said web cutting means.

12. The combination with a sheet fed printing machine having web forwarding means, web cutting means and sheet forwarding means; of angularly moving gripper stops normally rotating at constant speed, and means including a differential gear unit for varying the time of arrival of said sheet at said gripper stops, said sheet forwarding means being driven at a rate of speed greater than that of the peripheral velocity of the gripper stops.

13. The combination with a sheet fed printing machine having angularly moving web forwarding means, web cutting means, sheet forwarding means, and angularly moving sheet grippers; of means for rotating the outer periphery of the sheet forwarding means at a velocity greater than the peripheral velocity of the gripper stops, whereby a sheet engaged and forwarded by the sheet forwarding means will impinge and be buckled against the gripper stops to assure its accurate alignment with same, and other means for advancing or retarding a sheet relatively to said gripper stops while the stops are revolving.

14. The combination with a sheet fed printing machine having angularly moving web forwarding means, web cutting means, sheet forwarding means, and angularly moving sheet grippers; of means for increasing and decreasing the angular velocity of the web forwarding means in order to vary the size of a sheet cut from a web by the web cutting means, means for rotating the outer periphery of the sheet forward- 7 ing means at a velocity greater than the peripheral velocity of the gripper stops, whereby a sheet engaged and forwarded by the sheet forwarding means will impinge and be buckled against the gripper stops to assure its accurate alignment with same, and other means for advancing or retarding a sheet relatively to said gripper stops while the stops are revolving.

15. In a device of the character described, angularly moving sheet forwarding means, angularly moving sheet'gripper stops, means for rotating the sheet forwarding means at a rate adequate to advance a sheet faster than the peripheral velocity of the gripper stops, and other means including a differential gear assembly for momentarily retarding the rate of rotation of the sheet forwarding means, whereby a leading edge of the sheet advanced by the forwarding means may overtake the said stops at various predetermined points, and the body portion of the sheet may be buckled to a variable degree.

16. In a device of the character described, angularly moving sheet forwarding means, angularly moving sheet gripper stops, means for rotating the sheet forwarding means at a rate adequate to advance a sheet faster than the peripheral velocity of the gripper stops, and means for varying the time of arrival of a sheet for-- .warded by the sheet forwarding means at said stops whereby a leading edge of a sheet advanced by the forwarding means will overtake the said stops and the body portion of the sheet will be buckled.

17. In a printing machine of the character described, flexible sheet conveying means, a cylinder having an opening, sheet gripper units secured to said means and receivable in said opening, and other means coacting with the said units for lockingly securing the units in the opening while the cylinder is rotating.

18. In a sheet fed printing machine, a printing couple including an impression cylinder having a gap in its periphery, a rotary registering member having a gap in its periphery, a flexible conveyor member, a sheet gripper unit carried by the flexible conveyor member and adapted to be accurately positioned successively in the said gaps, a sheet feeder adapted to feed sheets to the gripper unit, sheet stops operatively connected to the gripper unit and arranged to accurately register the said sheet when it is presented to the said gripper unit, and means for varying the time of arrival of a sheet at said gripper stops.

19. In a multiunit sheet fed printing machine, a plurality of impression cylinders, conveyor means adapted to receive sheets and convey them through the said units in succession, said conveyor means including a plurality of gripper mechanisms each adapted to hold a sheet, and means on each cylinder for securing each gripper mechanism successively thereto and holding it in locked engagement while the leading portion of each sheet is being printed.

20. In a sheet fed printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder, conveyor means adapted to receive sheets and convey them between the said cylinders of each of the units in succession, said conveyor means including a plurality of sheet gripper mechanisms arranged in spaced relation, and means on each impression cylinder for securing each gripper mechanism successively thereto and holding it in locked engagement while the leading portion of each sheet is engaged by the printing cylinder.

21. In a printing machine of the character described, a plurality of printing units, flexible sheet conveying means having links of substantially equal length, a plurality of members mounted on and movable relatively to the said conveying means, each of said members being pivotally connected at one point to the conveying means and slidably connected thereto at another point in a manner to permit longitudinal motion of the member relative to the iiiexible sheet conveying means, said points bei separated by a plurality of links, and a sheet CERTIFICATE OF common on}.

gripper carrier connected to said members, whereby the direction of motion of the gripper carrier each end thereof, a first set of pins carried by the chains and each pivotally supporting one of the connecting members at one point, a second set of pins also carried by the chains and each pin being spaced from one of the first set of pins by a plurality of chain links, a longitudinallyextending slot in each connecting member engaging one of the second set of pins and thereby supporting the gripper carrier in operating alignment andpermitting longitudinal movement of the slotted portion of the member relative to the pin when the portion of the chain carrying the member is passing on and oil a sprocket.

23. In a printing machine, a conveyor mechanism adapted to convey sheets from one part of the machine to another part, through a path having a curved portion, said conveyor mechanism including a pair of endless chains having links of substantially uniform length, a plurality of gripper carriers each having grippers arranged to engage the sheets, a supporting member connected to each end of each gripper carrier, each supporting member being pivotally mounted at one point on a first pin secured to the chain, and slidably mounted at another point by a slot formed in the member which engages a second pin secured to the chain andpermits motion of the slotted portion of the member only in the general direction of the motion of the sheets, said first and second pins being separated by a plurality of links of the chain, whereby the direction of motion of the gripper carrier is changed gradually'as the portion of the chain to which it is connected enters and leaves curved portions of its path.

" F. HUCK.

WILLIAM F.v HUCKs It is hereby certifiedithat error appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatent requiring correction as followsi Page 2, first column, line 51, for "batter" read battery; page 5, second"co1umn, line 11 for. the reference numeral "20" read 120; page 7, first column, line 51, for the word "carrying" resid varying; and thatthe said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same my conform to the record ofthe case in the Patent Offices v Signed and sealed this'51st day of January, A D. 1959.

(Seat).

Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

November 29, 19580 p I 

